Court finds Patkar in violation of probation terms after defamation conviction
A Delhi court on Wednesday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against social activist Medha Patkar after finding her in deliberate non-compliance with sentencing terms in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Singh noted that Patkar had failed to appear in court or comply with the sentencing order dated April 8, 2025, despite having been convicted.
“The convict is absent and has deliberately failed to follow the sentencing order and avail of the benefit of probation, which was subject to the payment of compensation,” the Court observed.
Stating that it had no alternative, the Court directed Delhi Police to execute the NBW through the Commissioner’s office. It also warned that non-compliance at the next hearing could lead to a reconsideration of the probation order and reinstatement of the original sentence.
Patkar was initially convicted on May 24, 2024, and sentenced to five months’ imprisonment and a ₹10 lakh compensation to Saxena. She later filed a revision petition. While the Sessions Court upheld the conviction, it set aside the jail term, placing her on probation for one year conditioned on the payment of ₹1 lakh and furnishing of a ₹25,000 bond and surety.
However, the Court found that Patkar had not complied with these conditions. Her counsel sought an adjournment, citing a pending revision plea in the Delhi High Court. The Sessions Judge pointed out that the High Court had not granted any stay or deferment of proceedings.
“The present application is frivolous and mischievous and is only calculated to hoodwink the Court,” the Judge remarked, dismissing the plea.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 3.
Background of the Case
The defamation case traces back to 2000 when Saxena, then President of the National Council of Civil Liberties, published an advertisement critical of Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan. Patkar responded with a press release alleging that Saxena was “mortgaging the people of Gujarat and their resources to individuals like Bill Gates,” and branding him an agent of the Gujarat government.
Saxena filed a defamation case in Ahmedabad in 2001, which was transferred to Delhi by the Supreme Court in 2003.
In its ruling, the trial court found that Patkar’s statements were made with clear intent to malign Saxena’s reputation and portrayed him as being involved in unethical financial conduct.
Legal Representation
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For VK Saxena: Advocates Gajinder Kumar, Kiran Jai, Chandra Shekhar, Drishti, Somya Arya, and Abhishek Dubey
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For Medha Patkar: Advocate Abhimanue Shrestha
